Soldiers Who Killed Police Inspector Are Terrorists, Says IGP Egbetokun

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November 29, 2023

The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun has condemned the killing of a police inspector by some soldiers during their invasion of the headquarters of the Adamawa State Police Command, last week.

The soldier killed the police officer on November 21 while on duty in his post.

Egbetokun during his visit to the state police headquarters on Tuesday describe the action of the soldiers as a terrorists’ attack. He said the soldiers operated in the manner bandits operate in the country, noting that the attacks were ‘unwarranted and barbaric’.

The police said such event should not recur because it is capable of dampening the morale of police officers working in the country

The police IGP said, “I believe this is going to be the last time it will happen in Nigeria.

“These people came like bandits and carried out the attacks on our facility in a manner similar to an invasion by Boko Haram terrorists.

“Inspector Jacob Daniel was an officer on duty at the quarter guard on Wednesday last week when he was murdered, following an invasion on this headquarters by some recalcitrant soldiers, in an attack that was unwarranted, carried out in a manner reflecting the activities of Boko Haram by their invasion on this facility.

“I am in your midst this afternoon to share the grief that you have. I learnt that he was an officer who was committed to his duty. He always demonstrated the highest level of dedication to duty. But unfortunately, we lost him to the attacks that were unwarranted and barbaric.”

Tinubu To Present N27.5trn Budget, Highest In Nigeria’s History To NASS Today

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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November 29, 2023

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to present the 2024 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly any moment from now.

Sources close to the Nigerian Presidency said the yearly estimate will be presented to the Assembly in less than an hour, barring any last-minute change of plans.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio confirmed on Tuesday that Tinubu will on Wednesday, November 29 present the 2024 Appropriation Bill of N27.5 trillion to a joint session of NASS.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas had earlier on Monday said the assembly was set for the president to present the financial estimate.

Akpabio, who read a letter from Tinubu on the floor of the House during Tuesday’s plenary session, said the presentation will commence by 11.00 a.m.

The Federal Executive Council, FEC, had on Monday approved the budget.

The proposed budget is N1.5 trillion higher than the initial N26 trillion earlier approved by the FEC before the recent passage of the Medium Term Framework, MTEF, and Fiscal Policy document by the National Assembly.

The budget is the highest in Nigeria’s history, and President Tinubu’s first since he came to office on May 29, 2023.

CBN: Emefiele Rots In Kuje Prison; Friends Abandon Him

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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November 29, 2023

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Close family friends and associates of Godwin Emefiele, the embattled Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, governor have abandoned him in Kuje Prison.

Until his problems started in June this year when he was removed from office by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Emefiele was one of the most powerful government officials as Nigeria’s Central Bank governor.

He dished out favour to the low and mighty in the country, relying on his war chest as Nigeria’s number one banker.

The former CBN governor must have chosen to be good to friends and associates while he served as the chief executive of the government-owned bank, with the hope to be paid back in the future.

But, that’s not to be as it’s now clear that the same friends have abandoned him in Kuje Prison, in his time of need.

Following his release on bail last week on November 22, 2023, by Justice Hamza Muazu not a few had expected Emefiele to meet his bail conditions without any hassle.

The bail conditions set by Justice Muazu include a N300 million bond, and two sureties owning properties in Asokoro District, amongst others.

The judge also ordered the former CBN governor to deposit all his travel documents with the court registrar.

Considering the influence he wielded then as Nigeria’s CBN governor, with friends and associates cutting across the business, financial, and government sectors, those watching his trial said Emefiele should not be stranded in Kuje Prison like a common criminal.

Finding sureties to stand for him, they insist, should not be a problem for him.

“Somebody like Emefiele should not be stranded in Kuje Prison looking for those to stand as sureties for him, considering the caliber of friends he had while occupying the position of CBN governor. But, what’s happening to him now is a lesson that no condition is permanent. People only flock around you when you are occupying a top position. Once you are no longer there, you become an orphan,” said Termini Yisau, a public analyst.

Sources close to the Prison told the magazine that Emefiele is highly frustrated that none of his friends has come to his rescue.

“He’s not happy. Imagine him spending more days in prison because no one has come forward to bail him out. He’s particularly unhappy with some of his friends in the banking sector and those in government who he assisted as CBN governor,” a source close to him said on Wednesday.

After his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, Mathew Burkaa, Emefiele’s lead counsel, told journalists that his client was yet to meet the bail conditions.

With the situation of things, Emefiele is likely to spend the rest of the year in Kuje Prison, those familiar with the detail of the case said.

The trail judge, yesterday, adjourned the trial of Emefiele till January 18 and 19, 2024.

Emefiele was granted bail last week after spending five months in the custody of the Department of State Srvice, DSS and EFCC.

He was sacked on June 9, 2023, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and was picked up a day after by the DSS.

The former CBN boss is under trial for alleged procurement fraud totaling N1.2 billion.

According to the charge sheet, Emefiele was accused of using his position to confer a corrupt advantage on Sa’adatu Yaro, a staff of CBN, by awarding a contract for the procurement of 43 vehicles worth N1.2 billion between 2018 and 2020.

The vehicles included 37 Toyota Hilux at the cost of N854.7 million, one Toyota Avalon at the cost of N99.9 million, one Toyota Landcruiser V8 at the cost of N73.8 million, two Toyota Hilux Shell Specification at the cost of N44,200,000.

He was also alleged to have awarded Yaro a contract for the procurement of two Toyota Landcruiser VXR V8 worth N138 million.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Meanwhile, sources informed the magazine that the former CBN governor is frantically reaching out to close family members and friends who could assist him in his current situation.

He wants to spend the festive period with his family, sources said.

Imo 2023: The Untold Story of Uzodinma’s Re-election

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The Source

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November 29, 2023

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By Chidi Levi

How Re-alignment, geo-numerical Advantage, Intra-Party Feud, Handed Him Victory

Owerri, the serene but beautiful capital of Imo state was the setting. It was a gathering that would influence the outcome of the November 11, 2023 Imo guber contest.

The Making of a “Business Get Together”

To divert public attention from the main meat of the meeting, it was disguised as a “Business Together”.And so, it was at the “Business Get Together” that the interplay of forces and factors that combined to return Governor Hope Uzodinma to Douglas House(as the Imo state Government House is known) for a second term were hatched.

At play in the meeting were strategic realignment, alliance and geo-numerical consolidation between Owerri and Orlu zones and the decision to flood every Local Government Area, Ward and Community in the two zones with vote canvassers.

Canvassers As Re-election “Evangelists”

The Uzodinma re-election vote canvassers were saddled with interfacing with members of their immediate families, kindreds and communities on the need to re-elect the Governor.

They were also to engage in house-to-house and door-to-door selling of the Governor.

The modus operandi of the canvassers was akin to the itinerant Jehova witness members’ door-to-door mode of evangelism.

Vote canvassers also penetrated and saturated nzuko ummuna ( kindred meetings) in various villages, community gatherings, weddings, burials, Church,ch events and other social events, innocuously selling the Governor’s re-election bid.

Essentially, the canvassers did an excellent job of bringing Governor’s Uzodinma re-election to the front burner and the consciousness of the people to the extent that in communities in Oru-east and Oru-West, Orsu and so many other Council Areas and Communities in Orlu Senatorial District, the only candidate voters knew was “Onwa Oyoko” as Governor Uzodinma is affectionately called

Background to “Business Get Together”

The eggheads of the idea had been talking at informal gatherings but as the Gubernatorial election drew near, they decided to have a formal meeting to concretize their agenda.

So, on a certain Saturday evening in August- three months before the 2023 Imo Governorship election, select political leaders, including some chieftains of the three main political parties in the State and some past and present political office holders, business moguls and a few religious leaders, all drawn from the Orlu and Owerri Senatorial districts otherwise known as Imo West and Imo East respectively, discreetly met at a hotel in Owerri.

At the meeting, speakers were detailed and frank in their assessments and submissions. Discussions were also no-hold-barred and exhaustive.

A source privy to the gathering and what transpired, including the far-reaching decisions that were taken, vehemently denies Governor Uzodinma’s remotest involvement in the conception, planning or execution of the meeting. “Neither the Governor nor his aides were privy to the meeting; they were not in the know and had no slightest idea of what was in the offing. Eminent Imo citizens from Orlu and Owerri simply put partisan politics aside to deliberate and agree on what they believed was the best for the two zones nay Imo” he told the Magazine.

Essentially, apart from agreeing that each person should organise vote canvassers in their wards and communities, at the end of the meeting, leaders from the two Senatorial Districts were unanimous that Orlu had had a larger share of the slice of Imo’s political power to the detriment of the other two districts – Owerri and Okigwe- having cumulatively ruled the State for 20 years since the return of democracy in 1999 as opposed to Okigwe and Owerri zones four years( Ikedi Ohakim) and Seven months( Emeka Ihedioha) respectively.

However, aware that the combined electoral strength of Orlu Zone’s 12 Local Government Areas and Owerri Zone’s 10 meant a clear-cut numerical advantage and could singularly deliver the Governor for a second term, the need for Governor Uzodinma’s return to complete the remaining four-year tenure was agreed upon to among other things, according to them:

* Enable him to sustain, consolidate and clinically complete his state-wide socio-economic and infrastructural re-invention of Imo.

* Avoid the truncation of his giant strides by a new Governor who may want to stall them.

*Solidfy power rotation to Owerri zone in 2027 in such a way that Orlu and Okigwe zones will have no excuse or moral fibre to want to eye Government House.

However, citing alleged years of political deprivation, including the annulment by INEC, of Chief Martin Agbaso’s virtual governorship victory in 2007, attendees from the three Owerri Local Government Areas- Owerri West, Owerri municipality and Owerri North argued that any of the three Council Areas should be allowed to produce the governor in 2027.

And LP and PDP Factions Joined the Fray

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Labour Party, LP sources have confirmed to the magazine that factions of the two opposition parties in Imo aided the victory of Governor Uzodinma.

According to a Chieftain of LP from Okigwe, the home Senatorial District of the party’s candidate in the election, Senator Nathan Achonu, “Truth be told, we went into the Governorship election badly divided. Some of our members who are disgruntled over one reason or another openly canvassed votes for our opponent; it was that bad”

The magazine was reliably informed that supporters of some of the aspirants who felt they were manipulated out in the LP gubernatorial primary election, especially supporters of General Jack Lincoln Ogunewe (Rtd) and Chief Martin Agbaso worked against the LP Candidate.

The PDP candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, suffered the worst fate. A PDP insider informed the Magazine that supporters of former Governor Emeka Ihedioha across the State made no pretence about their rejection of Senator Anyawu.

The consequence was that in traditional PDP strongholds, particularly Owerri zone, including the Mbaise nation where Ihedioha hails from, voters snubbed the PDP and Senator Anyanwu and voted massively for Governor Uzodinma instead.

Recall that Ihedioha was the front runner for the PDP Governorship ticket and was on the cusp of grabbing it before Senator Anyanwu who is the National Secretary of the PDP used his vantage position in the party to muzzle him out of the race and then grabbed the ticket himself.

For Uzodinma, it was a clear, solid, unprecedented victory, which, in the hearts of the opponents, they have no answer to.

Peace Returns To Ondo As Speaker Warns Gladiators To Stay Away

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Ayodele Oni

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November 29, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Political crisis rocking Ondo State for over three months seems to have abated with parties in the dispute pledging to lay down arms and embrace the peace deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu.

The Ondo State House of Assembly has declared its support for the peace deal agreed with President Bola Tinubu by political stakeholders over the political logjam in the state.

Reading resolutions agreed with the President at Abuja meeting to his colleagues at a Plenary sitting on Tuesday, the Speaker, Olamide Oladiji, said Lucky Aiyedatiwa remains the deputy governor not Acting Governor.

He commended the President and Afenifere Leader, PA Rueben Fasoranti for their interventions.

Addressing the plenary, the speaker also confirmed that impeachment proceeding against Aiyedatiwa had been dropped, while the state executive council remains undissolved

“Dear Colleagues, Please permit me to formally welcome you to this Hallowed

Chamber following the recent harrowing and tortuous political crisis that shook the entire State to the marrow.

‘Without any iota of doubt in my mind, I strongly believe that we all acted in line with the mandate given to us as representatives of the people.

“Our actions or inactions were governed, guided and directed by the rules of law even though futile attempts were made to blackmail and throw a spanner in our wheel as a body of lawmakers. Thank God, we all acted and spoke in one voice.

“Honestly, I must confess that what we just witnessed was democracy at play. Democracy in my view is a form of participating government that provides for give and take, checks and balances.

“It is a process in which the actions and or inactions of the ruler and the ruled are guided by the constitutions and the rules of law. It is a process that provides room for questions and answers when occasions demand.

“We as elected representatives of the people have only acted within the precinct of the mandate freely given to us by our constituents. We

have demonstrated courage when occasion demanded for it. We asked questions when there was course for us, so to do.

“Notwithstanding, however, the event which we all have just witnessed, provided an avenue for assessment and reassessment. It was a win-win situation, thanks to the Almighty God and timely intervention of our political leaders and elders who were resolute in ensuring that peace return to our darling Sunshine State.

‘That three enforcers including the State chairman of APC, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, the Speaker of the State of House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji Adesanmi, and Secretary to the State Government Princess Catharine Oladunni Odu were appointed to monitor compliance with the foregoing resolution.

“Flowing from the above, I urge everyone to sheathe the sword, bury the hatchet and think of better ways to accelerate the much needed development of our darling Sunshine State in the interest of our people.

“On our own part, I pledge, as always, on behalf of my colleagues to continue to work with the other arms of government and other stakeholders towards enhancing the delivery of democracy dividends to our people.

“Let me at this juncture warn politicians and other gladiators fanning the embers of war, in this State, because of their political interests to please thread softly as the House of Assembly will not hesitate to deploy the full weight of the law in calling them to order.”

Boko Haram Beheads 11 Wood Loggers In Borno State

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Akinwale Kasali

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November 28, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have wreaked havoc in Damboa Local Government Area in Borno State beheading 11 Wood Loggers.

The slain Wood Loggers were riding on Camels when they were accosted by the dreaded Group.

Sources disclosed that the loggers were working at their charcoal site when they were suddenly rounded up by the terrorists who refused all pleas for mercy from their victims and went ahead to kill six persons instantly, before beheading others later.

It was gathered that the incident occurred on Monday near Bale, a remote village in Damboa LGA.

According to the local vigilante source, the dismembered bodies of the victims were recovered at the scene around 5 pm.

“We found six bodies of the wood loggers who were butchered by the Boko Haram people from the location on Monday evening.

“We do not think any of them survived the attack. Their bodies were badly dismembered, and we found them in a pool of blood as all parts of their bodies were cut into pieces.

“We immediately organised ourselves to bury what remained of them in the evening according to Islamic rites. Although five people are still missing, we are praying that those five escaped, and maybe when tension calms down, they will return to us to narrate what really happened. But for now, we don’t know if they escaped, or were abducted too,” the source stated.

Vigilantes within the axis added that,“We learnt that they came on camels and surrounded the victims. We saw the footprints of the carmels. We counted about 15 carmel foot prints.

“Although we learnt that some of the lucky loggers ran as fast as they could, though they were pursued by the l Boko Haram members.

“Why we also believe the others escaped is because carmels don’t run as fast as horses, and more importantly, the victims are familiar with the terrain; that’s why we’re praying that they escape.

“It was later, we were informed about the situation of things there that we mobilised and went to the scene only to find the six bodies dismembered and abandoned at the site but we haven’t heared from the other five persons.

“This morning, additional five bodies were recovered, so we have a total of 11 corpses so far. But the soldiers, alongside the vigilantes, are currently in the area and also combing the woods.”

Retired Primary School Teachers, LG Workers To Receive Gratuity, As Ondo Govt Sets Aside ₦1Billion

By

Ayodele Oni

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November 28, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Almost 22 years after retirement, Primary School Teachers and Local Government workers in Ondo State are set to receive their gratuities.

The State Government announced on Tuesday that it is now set to begin enblock defraying of backlog of gratuities owed primary school teachers and local government retirees with one billion Naira.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, who disclosed this in Akure, explained that those affected are part of debt inherited by the present administration.

“On assumption of office, the Akeredolu led government inherited seven months backlog of salary arrears, leave bonuses, pensions and gratuities which it had to defray.

“Being a Government that is sensitive to the plight of the people, it prioritized workers’ welfare, so salaries, pensions and leave bonuses were number one.

“The last tranche of 142 percent of salary arrears of local government workers was paid with September Salary.”

Takuro added that while grappling with the payment of the huge liabilities inherited as salary arrears, pensions and leave bonuses, the government had no choice but to pay the gratuities it could pay, in piece meal.

According to the commissioner, as the economic situation bits harder, the government has to do something as a matter of necessity, to ameliorate the effect of the hardship on retirees.

He said the Governor approved One Billion Naira to begin enblock payment of gratuities of retirees of local government and primary school teachers, starting with 2011 and part of 2012.

He promised that the enblock payment will be a continuous process.

Nigeria’s Debt To Hit $117bn As Tinubu Makes Fresh Loan Request

By

Tosin Olatokunbo

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November 28, 2023

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has requested the Nigerian Senate to approve $8.6 billion for his administration. The president also asked the National Assembly to approve a 100 million loan for the government to discharge its election promise to Nigerians.

The request was contained in a letter he sent to NASS in Tuesday. Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the letter on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday.

According to the president, the loans will be used for the financing of critical infrastructure in agriculture, education, security, health, and other areas.

President Tinubu said the process of obtaining the loans started with the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The magazine learned that part of the external loans will be used to finance the 2023 Budget.

The president is set to present the 2024 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of NASS on Wednesday.

The letter reads “I write in respect of the above subject and to submit the attached federal government 2022-2024 external borrowing plan for consideration and early approval of the National Assembly to ensure prompt implementation of the projects.

“The senate may wish to note that the past administration approved a 2022-2024 borrowing plan by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) held on May 15, 2023.

“The project cuts across all sectors, with specific emphasis on infrastructure, agriculture, health, water supply, roads, security, and employment generation as well as financial management reforms.

“Consequently, the required approval is in the sum of $8,699,168,559 and €100 million.

“I would like to underscore the fact that the projects and programmes in the borrowing plan were selected based on economic evaluations as well as the expected contribution to the social economic development of the country, including employment generation, and skills acquisition.

“Given the nature of these facilities, and the need to return the country to normalcy it has become necessary for the Senate to consider and approve the 2022- 2024 external abridged borrowing plan to enable the government to deliver its responsibility to Nigerians.”

Many Nigerians are however worried that the fresh loan will further compound the debt problem facing the country.

The Debt Management Office, DMO, puts Nigeria’s total debt at $108.30 billion as of December 2022.

Ondo Key Into World Bank Malaria Programme, Constitutes Committee

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Ayodele Oni

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November 28, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

The Ondo State Government has inaugurated a 15- man Committee for a world bank assisted project “Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) to curb the menace of under five mortality rate in Ondo state due to malaria.

The World Bank programme, which started in 2020, is expected to end within the next two years.

Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Banji Ajaka while explaining the time frame for members of the committee at its inauguration in Akure said “we have an herculean task before us, this programme started in 2020 and it is a five year project, that means we have just two years to implement the programme.

“We need to speed up the implementation, the Project Implementation unit and the steering committee are to work together as fast as possible to achieve the goal of the projec

Ajaka pointed out that the project would impact and strengthen the health sector of the state adding that the main objective was to reduce the under five mortality rate by 40 percent in the first phase.

“As at 2020 when IMPACT started, the national mortality was 132 percent. However, Ondo state under five mortality rate is 65 percent per 1000 life birth.

“Reducing by 40 percent will bring us to 25 percent. We are far better than the national figure but we are going to still do more to reduce it more.

Ajaka explained that the developmental objective of the project was to improve utilization and quality of immunization and malaria services.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Folukemi Aladenola in her welcome address announced that State Steering Committee has received the formal approval of the Governor and has made available the commitment fee of N80 Million only for Malaria project with World Bank to support the reduction of malaria prevalence in the State.

She noted that the gesture of the government was a reflections of the state government’s commitment to advancing healthcare and ensuring the health of the people is taken care of.

She sought for collaboration amongst all stakeholders, development partners, Civil Society Organizations and the general public to continue the war against Malaria so as to achieve a Malaria free Ondo State and Nigeria at large.

The State Malaria Programme Manager, Dr Waheed Folayan noted that IMPACT malaria project would strengthen coordination, collaboration and strategic partnership to promote efficiency and effectiveness towards achieving at least 75 percent improvement from basis.

The committee comprises, the Hon commissioner for Health as the Chairman, the commissioner for Finance as a co-chairman, commissioner for economic planning and Budget as member, Accountant General, Permanent secretary Ministry of Health and heads of other agencies in the health sector and Civil society organization.

Appeal Court Affirms Fubara’s Victory As Rivers State Governor

By

Akinwale Kasali

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November 28, 2023

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Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State

By Akinwale Kasali

The Court of Appeal Lagos Division has affirmed the victory of Governor Siminalayi Fubara as the duly elected Governor of Rivers State in the March 18th, 2023 Governorship Election in the State.

The Appeal Court dismissed the Allied Peoples’ Movement, APM, Petition against Fubara’s victory, saying it lacks merit.

Prior to the petition of the APM at the Appeal Court, the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja had dismissed petitions seeking to nullify the election of Governor Fubara of Rivers State.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had on March 18, 2023 declared Governor Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as winner of the gubernatorial election, having polled 302,614 votes ahead of other contestants.

The Justice Cletus Emifonye-led three-member at the Petition Tribunal of the State separately dismissed all the four petitions for lack of merit.